This study evaluated the benefit of free breathing real
time imaging of the cardiac function at 3T by comparison to 1.5T in 13
volunteers and 26 patients. Gain in myocardial SNR but not myocardial/blood CNR
was observed at 3T by comparison to 1.5T. Accurate determination of the
diastole, systole and EF was obtained with the real-time sequences. For
regional function determination, sensitivity and specificity of the real time
sequence at 3T was 80% and 98%. Therefore, free breathing real-time cardiac MRI
is a valuable alternative for difficult patients.